Re: NEVER SATISFIED!
 

Amen, Amen and again, Amen!!!! Folks, it's not that deep. And as far as comedy movies with AA actors starring in them, "The Barbershop" is a definite a step up from let's say "I Got the Hook-Up" where the storyline was just plain STUPID. Everything that we see or hear does not need to be over-analyzed! Sheeesh!!!

I didn't see Trois so I can't make any comments on it. Professor, you stated that you don't normally care to see comedy - could it be that you went to see the movie with an already biased opinion (either consciously or subconsciously)?? Just asking, that's all.

Well,
 

Given a number of things, anything is possible!

HUH?
 

Are y'all suggesting that because a movie is put out by black producers and actors that we have to like it simply because we are black? I just don't get the "it's not that deep" and "reading too much into stuff" comments. Or are y'all responding to the "wanting to see our folk in movies with serious scripts and plots" comment? I do agree, though, that if you don't enjoy comedies, of course you wouldn't enjoy Barbershop.

Re: HUH?
 

That's my point:D

Or are y'all responding to the "wanting to see our folk in movies with serious scripts and plots" comment? I do agree, though, that if you don't enjoy comedies, of course you wouldn't enjoy Barbershop. [/B][/QUOTE]

I think is getting much deeper than it has to be. Everyone has their own opinion about the movie if they liked it, or didn't like it. Me personally I liked and laughed a lot. It had nothing to do with it being a black movie or a non-black movie.

For everyone that saw the movie....this is my favorite line...OJ DID IT, and it was the way that Ced's voice was with that statement, hell it was his voice in everything he said.

Again I just want to say what a few others have said...it's not that deep.

Watchulookin4?
 

This has always been the question when it comes to images of blacks in the entertainment media, what is an approriate representation of "black life"?

I stress two things here,

-1. I am talking about entertainment media, not news or public television, but that part of the media that is supposed to be in the realm of our artistic expression of ourselves.

-2. Considering that images in the entertainment media can, and often times do, shape our perception of reality; what can we as black people afford to show as appropriate representations of ourselves? (Considering that all types of media constantly show a negative portrait of "black life").

I think that these two points should inform our view of what we expect from our artistic community when it comes to the images in the media. No, I do not think that it is reading too much into "Barbershop" to critique it for its portrale of black life and community in a barbershop. I think as self loving people we must be critical of how we portray ourselves artistically, whether it is movies, music, or theater and painting etc. Because as Bro. Dr. W.E.B. DuBois tells us, "All art is proporganda" which means it shapes our beliefs and perceptions and therefore our lives.

With that being said, I think that we can't afford to let everything slide as just "entertainment". We have to be self critical as to how the images can effect us. When a subtle message about black college educated people comes across in a movie like "barbershop", that message can become part of our perception. Is it reality, meaning something that someone may see in there life, yes, but does that mean that this reality should become hegemonic-in other words a given that this is the way things have to be in our collective thoughts? No. But it can become so if we are not critical of it ourselves.

Blackwatch!!!!!!!

Again, I say, "HUH?". What isn't that deep? I don't know. Maybe I'm just slow, but I don't get it :confused:.

It is my understanding that folk are saying that this picture is just a comedy and not some serious work. Therefore, to analyze the movie for content, plot, raising action, etc. is not necessary - - - the film is just for laughs.

Personally, I'm just saying it was not that entertaining. :p

Oh, I get it now. It got too deep because of the educated character stereotype conversation. I told y'all, I'm a little slow sometimes. But, I agree with Blackwatch. Even though it is a comedy, it never hurts to take a look at the subliminal messages that can do more harm than good. However, in this movie, I don't that is the case.

i saw the movie on tuesday and instead of seeing it, i should have gone to see city by the sea. the previews of the upcoming bond movie and brown sugar were better than barbershop. cedric isn't funny and the storyline was too predictable. this is a mediocre movie that wasn't worth my $4.

IMO the movie was average. I sniggled a couple of times but for the most part i was waiting for it to be over. I think that may have been the first movie that i felt like i had been sitting there the entire 2hrs (other than Undisputed :mad: ). I although do applaud the moral message that was displayed. It's bout time WE take some pride in ourselves and businesses.

Who is settling? I am not understanding what you are implying in the statement before that..."roles that other folk..." You will see I added a "confused: face.

I saw Trois, you cannot compare Barbershop to it. Are you comparing it because they are "black films"? The plots were entirely different. It's like comparing apples to basketballs...wtf?

So, it's okay for the "others" to release "Dumb and Dumber", "Home Alone", "Pearl Harbor", "The Godfather, AND "Barefoot in the Park?

If you haven't realized from the movies I chose above, there is a WIDE SPECTRUM represented. So, why can't we have a WIDE variety of movies out there? These movies ARE NOT alike. The casts from the above movies are close to 99% White, non-AA.

So your point is what?

I saw Barbershop today. It was okay. I laughed alot. I'll probably purchase it.

NEXXXXXTTTTTTTT.....

Thank you AKA2D,

This is what I was trying to convey when I stated it wasn't that deep. I mean there is a wide range when it comes to movies or anything. Just like "white movies" are not all alike, neither should "black" movies. People have their own opinion to like or dislike any movie be it a "black" or "white" movie.....remembers this is all suppose to be entertainment, not something that you are suppose to live your life by.

That is what I meant by it's not that deep.

Maybe
 

Thank You Kimll22 -

Again, people do have their own opinion and I STILL DID NOT LIKE THE MOVIE.

Moving on - I'd like to see our folk get award winning roles regardless if the flick is a drama or comedy and for the picture be recognized as such. But I guess for some, Its not that deep. Manybe some are more shallow than others, maybe some are too uptight, maybe its not that serious - - - - maybe we just have different takes on Barbershop:D

But people do .....
 

But it is that deep. Life imitates art that dictates life sometimes. Now is it the way it should be, of course not, but it is the way it is. When we go shopping for clothes, we see the latest styles, created by fashion dsesigners and marketed by celebrities. When we set goals for our lives, many of us want a nice house, car, etc. because that is the life that is shown on television and in the movies. One of the things that signifies class and status are your aestetic tastes. This is why some people would consider things like gold teeth:D , a red wedding dress :eek: , and for women gelled hair:eek: "ghetto" because those things signify tastes that are unacceptable in the status heirarchy in our society. Taste is driven by art and nowadays art in the media. When our art (entertainment as some say) informs our sense of taste, which informs our desires, which then fuel our actions in life, I think we need to be critical of it. Besides, whether we are critical or not, it is going to affect us. I am not saying that everyone does whatever they see on television and in the movies, this is much deeper than that. I am saying that we call these things "media" for a reason, because they transmit values that we absorb consciously and sub-consciously. Why do you thing businesses spend so much on advertising? It ain't just to get the word out. But they understand that media shapes perception and values.
Read my earlier post about how I feel about the phrase "just entertainment".

Blackwatch!!!!!!